WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA9) -- Businesses across the country have replaced the ring of a cash register for the swipe of a card.

Shereen Haaga uses her debit or credit cards for everyday purchases.

"It's just easier. I never have cash. If I get cash out it's usually for a reason. I don't get cash out like, oh today I'm going to use cash.. It's like I'm going to a place that is cash only," Haaga says.

According to Bankrate.com, 78 percent of Americans now carry less than $50 in cash. Fifty percent say they carry less than $20, and 9 percent say they don't carry cash at all.

"Were just going to see customers prefer the convenience of paying with plastic. And the majority of the transactions are going to continue migrating that way," says Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride.

Gregory's Coffee shop in New York estimates more than 70 percent of its customers swipe some type of plastic.

"It's almost like the cost of doing business these days. You need to accept credit cards," says owner Gregory Zamfotis.

It's happening more and more as people continue to carry less and less cash.

The Bankrate survey also found that 86 percent of women carry less than $50 on a daily basis compared to only 70% of men.